Bill punishing enforcement of anti-Russian sanctions in Russia by up to 10 years in prison submitted to State Duma

MOSCOW. April 4 (Interfax) - Amendments to the Criminal Code on liability for the enforcement of anti-Russian sanctions on the territory of Russia were submitted to the State Duma on Monday, State Duma State-Building and Legislation Committee head Pavel Krasheninnikov, who authored the bill, in collaboration with a group of senators and deputies, told reporters.

"We suggest making amendments to the Russian Criminal Code to prevent the economic situation inside the country from deteriorating. We find this measure to be justified," Krasheninnikov said.

According to the initiative, a provision dealing with actions taken to enforce decisions of foreign states to introduce restrictive measures against Russia will be added to Part 2 of Article 201 of the Russian Criminal Code, entitled Abuse of Powers.

The enforcement of sanctions in Russia will be punishable by a fine in an amount of up to one million rubles, or the convict's income for a period of up to five years, or up to five years of correctional labor with a ban on working in certain positions for a period of up to three years.

This violation will also be punishable by up to ten years in prison with a ban on working in certain positions for a period of up to three years, Krasheninnikov said.

Some Russian companies, including with state capital, are refusing to work with banks and enterprises affected by the sanctions as they are "afraid" of also being sanctioned, he said.

"Obviously, one of the purposes of foreign sanctions is the destabilization of Russia's internal economy, setting domestic companies against each other," he said.

"The introduction and observance of sanctions by foreign states or unions of foreign states is the responsibility of these states and unions, and of their officials as well," he said.

"However, is someone inside the Russian Federation decides to restrict the rights and freedoms of citizens of the Russian Federation, legal entities, agencies or organizations, such persons should bear criminal liability," Krasheninnikov said.